Easter weather: Long weekend holiday plans set to be RUINED as Met Office issues yellow warning for torrential rain
COUNTLESS Easter holiday plans are set to be ruined this weekend as the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for torrential rain.
The “prolonged” rainfall could lead to some flooding of homes and businesses across some of the most popular holiday spots in the UK, the weather agency warned.
Visitors and locals across the south-west of England are covered by the warning, which takes effect at 6pm today.
Beachgoers could be in for a washout as popular tourist towns such as Truro, Newquay, Falmouth, and St Austell have been warned of the heavy rain, which could “interrupt power supplies”.
Further along the coast, cities such as Exeter and Plymouth, as well as the seaside town of Torquay, are also at risk of the “heavy and persistent” rainfall.
The Met Office has warned that the torrential conditions could make driving “difficult” and cause “some disruption to travel”.
This is due to potential spray and flooding on roads, which could increase journey times.
The forecaster also warned that bus and train services would likely be affected, similarly making journey times longer.
It said: “Rain developing early Friday becomes heavier and more persistent later on Friday and persists into Saturday before easing from Saturday late morning.
“20 to 40 mm of rain is likely to build up widely by Saturday morning and 50 to 75 mm rain is likely over and near areas of higher ground, especially Dartmoor.
“Conditions will also be quite windy.”
The yellow warning will remain in place until 9am on Saturday.
Residents have been advised to prepare a flood plan and emergency flood kit, if their home is at risk of flooding.
Travellers have also been told to check road conditions before driving, in order to reduce the chance of encountering delays.
Those using public transport have been advised to check bus and train timetables so that you can change your travel plans in advance if necessary.
The Met Office also provided guidance in case of power failures.
It said: “People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance.
“It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
Easter weekend rail and air travel disruption
Rail travellers may face difficulties this Easter weekend due to the closure of a major line to London, while flights may also be cancelled as strike action hits Gatwick Airport.
Rail passengers have also been warned over further disruption as Network Rail prepares to begin its Easter engineering work.
Works will be carried out on more than 300 projects across Britain between Good Friday and Monday, leading to a number of line closures.
London Euston will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Saturday and Easter Sunday, while a reduced timetable will be in place on Good Friday and Monday.
It means passengers will be unable to access the UK’s 10th busiest railway station for long-distance travel, while renewals of overhead electric lines and improvements to drainage take place.
Liverpool Lime Street will also close on Easter Sunday due to railway upgrades taking place, making travel more difficult across the north-west.
Air travellers are not exempt from the chaos as Gatwick Airport is expected face “huge strike disruption,” with up to 50 flights per day affected by the industrial action.
Holidaymakers could be left stranded as employees stand down from work in a protest over pensions and payment delays on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Those striking currently work for the ground handling service Red Handling and are members of one of the UK’s biggest trade unions, Unite.
Baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers for airlines Norwegian, Delta, TAP and Air Peace will be stepping down causing huge disruptions at the airport.
Action begins on Good Friday and will continue until the early hours of Tuesday, April 22.
This comes as drivers have been urged to plan their journeys in advance, ahead of mass road closures this Easter weekend.
Traffic is also set to be its highest level in three years for the holiday period, with a whopping 19 million travellers expected to make journeys, according to the RAC.
Lunchtime on Good Friday is expected to have the lengthiest hold-ups, meaning those behind the wheel should plan to set off early in the morning.
Popular routes are likely to experience tailbacks including the A303 westbound to Stonehenge and the M5 southbound J15 at the RAC tower north of Bristol.
Journey times are likely to be nearly an hour longer for both meaning some could be stuck in their vehicles for more than half as long as usual.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “We’re still expecting to see extremely high levels of traffic from Thursday onwards, with the greatest number of Easter getaway trips planned for three years.
“Drivers shouldn’t expect to escape the queues if they don’t plan the best time to set off.
“It’s always best to travel as early as possible in the morning or later in the day when most of the traffic has eased, especially if headed to popular holiday destinations such as the West Country, Scotland or Wales.”
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said they are preparing for around 5,500 cars on just Friday alone.
The M6 is expected to be packed around the Blackpool area, as is the M25 in its south and western sections, the M5 at Bristol, and the A303 in Wiltshire.